Use a Saddle
By James Castwell

It seems more of us are using those little 'dumbbell' eyes
on various flies these days. Face it, they work.
They add the weight we want and can be used to roll a fly upside
down making it a bit snaggless. I am not going to give
you any suggestions on how you should cross, or cris-cross
the tying thread or what size or type of thread you should
use. No point in starting a war in here.

But this may help you some. Before you start to tie the eyes
on, make two little bunches of thread, separated a bit and
forming a small 'saddle' for the dumbbell eye to sit in.
This will also give an area for the thread to lock into
and may help hold the little buggers. They can sometimes
have a mind of their own and resist most efforts to secure
them tightly. Nothing like finishing a fly, only to find
the eyes wobble from side to side. ~ JC

Please check out the Fly Tying Section, on the Bulletin Board, here at FAOL too.